Format: Theme

Linked To

Event

World War One

Manuscript

Related manuscript (16)

Transcript

Related transcript (8)

Map or Plan

Related map or plan (5)

Artwork

Related artwork (5)

Photograph

Related photograph

Publication

Related publication

Recollections

Add

no stories yet

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Citation for this item

South Australians at the Western Front

Details

Description

The first Australian troops arrived on the Western Front in March 1916. By this time French and German armies were already at an impasse and locked into debilitating trench warfare. The trenches extended from the coast of Belgium to the Swiss border, across Belgium and north eastern France. With the development of modern weaponry, including the machine gun and other artillery, defence had become easier than attack. Attacks often resulted in little territorial gain and major loss of life, thus the stalemate continued. As at Gallipoli, the conditions in the trenches were appalling, particularly in the wet and freezing winter months, and disease was prevalent. Some conditions were particularly associated with the trench environment and became known as trench foot, trench fever and trench mouth. The stalemate continued up to the last months of the war.

On 26 February 1916, Victor Voules Brown wrote to his mother from 'somewhere in France' where,

the ground was practically one big mud hole at times we were up to our middles in it quite common to be up to our knees needless to say it is impossible to keep ones feet dry. And when we left to come out again well I am sure you would not have known me, As we were practically covered in mud. I also had about 10 days growth of beard on, which did not improve matters as far as appearance Anyway we arrived out of the stunt with few casualties, and at present are camped in huts a few miles out of it. It is glorious to be able sit down dry, & practically away from the roar of guns.

Len Hussey, from Port Elliot in South Australia, also fought on the Western Front. On 3 June 1917 he wrote to his friend Wally,

'This is an awful business, Wal, a horribly barbarous way of settling an argument'.

Despite being wounded and needing lengthy convalescent periods in England, and knowing the appalling conditions they would face, the diaries and letters of Len Hussey, Jack Jensen and Victor Voules Brown show their determination to return to the Front.

A total of 46,970 Australian lives were lost on the Western Front, and a further 131,406 men were wounded.

Manuscript

Pocket note book of Ralph Claridge

Sweet remembrance postcard

War diary of Louis Willyama Avery

War diaries of Frederick Leopold Terrell - Volume 5: Western Front

War diaries of Frederick Leopold Terrell - Volume 4: Western Front

War diaries of Frederick Leopold Terrell - Volume 3: Western Front

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 5: Western Front

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 4: Western Front

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 3: Western Front

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 2: Western Front

Letters written by Victor Voules Brown

Letters from Len Hussey

Letter reporting Private Alfred Duncan wounded in action 5 April 1918

Letter from A. H. Peake, Premier of South Australia to Mrs. E. Duncan

Telegram reporting Private A. E. J. Duncan officially missing

Postcard from Alfred Duncan to his mother

Transcript

Letters written by Victor Voules Brown [transcript]

War diary of Louis Willyama Avery

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 5: Western Front [transcript]

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 4: Western Front [transcript]

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 3: Western Front [transcript]

World War 1 diaries of James Churchill-Smith - Volume 2: Western Front [transcript]

War diaries of Frederick Leopold Terrell [transcript]

Letters from Len Hussey [transcript]

Map or Plan

Belgium and part of France [cartographic material]. Sheet 27 / Ordnance Survey

Belgium and part of France [cartographic material] : France. Sheet 36 / Ordnance Survey

Ligny-Thilloy : trenches corrected to 11-11-16

Region around Polygon Wood and Zonnebeke, West Flanders, Belgium

Becelaere : secret, army barrage map (second phase), September 1917

Artwork

For the Empire : a wounded Anzac

18th Battery, 6th Army Bde. Field Artillery : officers, NCO's & men honor roll

18th Battery, 6th Army Bde. A.I.F. honor roll.

18th Battery, Australian Field Artillery honor roll, 6th Army Field Artillery, Army Brigade A.I.F.

18th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade second division

Photograph

The 'Fighting Leanes' of Prospect

Publication

Behind the lines : one woman's war, 1914-18 [extracts]

Relates to

EventWorld War One

More information

More informationAustralian Government: Australian Stories: Australians on the Western FrontDepartment of Veterans' Affairs [Australia]: Australians on the Western Front 1914-1918Australian War Memorial: 1918 Australians in France

Menu

South Australians at the Western Front